CURLSASK Event Brushing and Broom Technology CURLSASK will implement the sweeping moratorium on brush head technology, in compliance with the recent WCF & Curling Canada brush moratorium statements. The full Curling Canada moratorium and penalties can be found on pages 3-4 of this document. In the simplest of terms; all players (including the broom holder) must use an approved broom head. Players cannot switch brooms during a game. The following document is a list of best practices & frequently asked questions to ensure compliance. It is the player s responsibility to comply with all regulations and understand the severity of the penalties. A CURLSASK Official or representative may request to inspect and mark broom heads before or during a draw. Cooperation and compliance to inspections is mandatory by all athletes. Authority: The Chief Umpire is authorized to administer this Moratorium and may assign other umpires to perform various duties, as required. The Chief Umpire is authorized to make decisions regarding this Moratorium not specifically covered in this protocol. All decisions of the Chief Umpire regarding this Moratorium are final. Best Practices & FAQ s Ensure to read the moratorium (pages 3-4) carefully as it is the duty of the player to be aware of the changes and new rulings within the document. The penalties and infractions for players and teams that do not obey the sweeping regulations will be implemented. We suggest you do not play your game if you do not have the proper broom heads. The penalties are extremely severe for an infraction: o Penalty: Any Canadian player using a sweeping device in competitions noted in (1) that is not approved by the WCF will be suspended from the remainder of the competition and the game in question will be forfeited. The team will not be allowed to replace the player for the remainder of the competition and will play with three players. A second infraction by the same player or same team (any player, any time) will suspend that team for the remainder of the competition in question and for the next 365 days. In addition, the team will forfeit any Canadian Team Ranking System (CTRS) points earned in that season. A second infraction by a specific player will suspend the team for the remainder of the competition in question, regardless if the player s first offence was with another team. The player with a second offence will be suspended for 365 days from the date of the second infraction. (A first infraction in Mixed Doubles will result in suspension for the rest of the competition.) What style of material am I allowed to sweep with? Approved WCF products (Currently is Nylon Oxford 420D). NO HAIR BRUSHES.
Do not rely on the host club having stock the day of the event: Order in advance from local curling supply stores, clubs or online. Here are the links to order online: Asham (OV Pro) Balance Plus (elite, elite for Litespeed, Elite for Litespeed XL) Hardline Curling (Maxim) Goldline (Oval Pro & Air Pro) Performance (WCF Approved) All approved heads are mustard yellow. This does not mean all yellow brush heads are approved for use. Please ensure you have purchased a broom head from September 2016 - current. (see pages 5-12) One player must declare their own broom before the practice session is to begin, and then may not switch brooms with anyone, or anything, at any time during that one game. The individual in the house acting as the broom holder for the other teammates may only use the broom they are sweeping with. Hair and corn brooms may only be used for sliding. You CAN NOT sweep with it at any point after your slide. Clarification: The hair broom (sliding broom) may touch the ice, for cleaning purposes (i.e. cleaning the rock in the hack, or a skip sliding down the sheet prior to a delivery) so long as it is not used while a rock is in motion. What broom/handle can I use? Any broom/handle that is able to accompany the WCF approved materials & heads. Am I allowed to change my brush head during a game? No, you may only use the brush head you started the pre-game practice session with, unless granted special permission from the Chief Umpire. Is there a grace period for elite/competitive/junior teams to acquire the compliant equipment? If so, what is the length of this period? There will not be a grace period for implementation in events where the moratorium is in place. Manufacturers have sufficient numbers available for purchase, therefore there is plenty of opportunity, as a competitive player, to become compliant immediately. CURLSASK Events: Moratorium Is Enforced SaskTel Tankard Provincial North & South Playdowns Saskatchewan Curling Tour (SCT) Viterra Scotties Provincial Qualifying Events Saskatchewan Women s Curling Tour Jiffy Lube Juniors Provincial Qualifying Events Senior Men s & Women s Provincial North & South Playdowns Qualifying Events Travelers Club Provincial Regional Playdowns Mixed Provincial Mixed Doubles Provincial Master s Men s & Women s Provincial Regional Playdowns U18 Men & Women Provincial Regional Playdowns University Playdowns World and Sask Tour Events Saskatchewan and Canada Winter Games
Curling Canada Brush Moratorium & Penalties The purpose of this Curling Canada Sweeping Moratorium is to ensure a level playing field while protecting the integrity of the sport and the spirit of fair play. This will require voluntary player compliance without the intervention of officials. This Moratorium will be in effect for the remainder of this quadrennial (ending April 30, 2018) and the subsequent updating of Curling Canada s Rule Book in June 2018. PART ONE Moratorium Statement Only World Curling Federation (WCF) approved brush heads* will be allowed for use at Curling Canada championships leading to WCF events, WCF-sanctioned events, and any event where CTRS points are available. Approved equipment will be assigned a WCF Product Code. * Currently Nylon Oxford 420D (mustard yellow) Many competitive events in Canada are not formally officiated; therefore, in the spirit of the sport of curling, the obligation is on individual players (and/or coach) to source a compliant brush head for play in these events. Players and coaches will be responsible for ensuring any sweeping brush brought to the field of play is compliant with this Moratorium. Hair brooms and corn brooms are banned for use as sweeping devices. During this moratorium, however, hair brooms and corn brooms will be allowed to serve as sliding brooms. Any Canadian player using a sweeping device in competitions noted in (1) that is not approved by the WCF will be suspended from the remainder of the competition and the game in question will be forfeited. The team will not be allowed to replace the player for the remainder of the competition and will play with three players. A second infraction by the same player or same team (any player, any time) will suspend that team for the remainder of the competition in question and for the next 365 days. In addition, the team will forfeit any Canadian Team Ranking System (CTRS) points earned in that season. A second infraction by a specific player will suspend the team for the remainder of the competition in question, regardless if the player s first offence was with another team. The player with a second offence will be suspended for 365 days from the date of the second infraction. (A first infraction in Mixed Doubles will result in suspension for the rest of the competition.) Each player must declare his or her approved sweeping device at the start of a game. Only that player can use that device for sweeping during the game. Penalty: if a player sweeps with another person s sweeping device, the stone shall be removed from play A player may not change their brush head during a game, unless the Chief Umpire grants special permission. Penalty: If a change is made without permission, the team will forfeit the game. If an alternate or substitute player comes into a game, they must use the brush of the player they are replacing. Penalty: If a new sweeping device is brought into the game, the team will forfeit the game. The target broom must be the declared sweeping brush of the skip and vice-skip. Using a separate or different broom as the target broom is not allowed (even if a compliant and approved version). Penalty: if the skip or vice-skip sweeps with a brush used for sliding, or any other non-declared broom, the stone shall be removed from play This moratorium also covers any pre-competition practice, pre-game practice, and the draw for last stone advantage. Evening practices are exempt. Penalty: If an unauthorized sweeping device is used, the offending team will relinquish last stone advantage in the next scheduled game. The sweeping techniques from Curling Canada s General Play Rule 11(8)(a)(b)(c) and Officiated Rule 12(8)(a)(b)(c) will continue to be enforced: Given that the intent of sweeping is to keep the path of a stone clean and to take a stone farther, there must be brush head movement in the sweeping motion** The sweeping motion shall not leave any debris in front of a moving stone The final sweeping motion shall finish outside the path of any stone.
** The WCF sweeping summit clearly showed that the direction of the brush head movement (i.e. east to west or straight up and back) had little if any out-of-the-ordinary impact on the curling stone when sweeping with a compliant brush head. (See National Research Council Public Executive Summary) Random inspections of equipment by an umpire may be carried out during the event and/or during a game. Players may request that an umpire inspect a brush prior to or during a game. Authority: The Chief Umpire is authorized to administer this Moratorium and may assign other umpires to perform various duties, as required. The Chief Umpire is authorized to make decisions regarding this Moratorium not specifically covered in this protocol. All decisions of the Chief Umpire regarding this Moratorium are final. For more information, please contact: CURLSASK 306.780.9202 curling@curlsask.ca
Current Approved Product Codes The following Approved Product Codes have been issued up to and including the 6 th February 2017. OV Pro Pad Asham Curling WCF Product Code A1A1A WCF Product Code A1A1B The Product Code is on the side of the pad using an interior label
elite for BalancePlus BalancePlus Curling WCF Product Code B1A1A WCF Product Code B1A1B WCF Product Code B1A1C The Product Code is on the side of the pad stencilled on the fabric, Although Pictures of Product Codes B1A1A and B1A1B are not shown they remain valid, please note an additional number is now included after the Product Code for internal BalancePlus purposes only.
elite for Litespeed BalancePlus Curling WCF Product Code B2A1A WCF Product Code B2A1B WCF Product Code B2A1C The Product Code is on the side of the pad stencilled on the fabric, Although Pictures of Product Codes B2A1A and B2A1B are not shown they remain valid, please note an additional number is now included after the Product Code for internal BalancePlus purposes only.
elite for Litespeed XL BalancePlus Curling WCF Product Code B3A1C The Product Code is on the side of the pad stencilled on the fabric, please note an additional number is now included after the Product Code for internal BalancePlus purposes only.
Oval Pro Curling Pad Goldline Curling WCF Product Code G1A1A WCF Product Code G1A1B WCF Product Code G1A1C WCF Product Code G1A1D The Product Code is on the side of the pad stencilled on the fabric, please note from the D series pad an additional number is included after the Product Code for internal Goldline purposes only. Although Pictures of Product Codes G1A1A and G1A1B are not shown they remain valid
icepad Maxim Cover Hardline Curling WCF Product Code H2A1A WCF Product Code H2A1B The Product Code is printed on the top section of the cover on some custom designs the exact location may vary
Oval Pad Moen Sports Technologies WCF Product Code M1A1A WCF Product Code M1A1B On a small number of pads the Product Code is written on the fabric on the side of the pad, most now have the product code on the side of the pad on an interior label
Performance Brush WCF Approved Replacement Head WCF Product Code P1A1A WCF Product Code P1A1B WCF Product Code P1A1C The Product Code is on the side of the pad stencilled on the fabric Although pictures of WCF Product Code P1A1A and P1A1B are not shown they remain valid Performance Spider Brush Performance Brush WCF Product Code P2B1C The Product Code is branded onto the base of the pad, please note the spider pad has an additional number included after the Product Code for internal Performance purposes only.